Singapore to spend up to $2.6b on ICT projects

Majority of investments are expected to go into SMEs, GovTech said.

The Singapore government is expecting to invest $2.4b to $2.6b on Information and Communications Technology (ICT) projects in 2018, GovTech chief executive Kok Ping Soon said alongside the launch of the Digital Government Blueprint (DGB) this week.

According to a press release, it will focus on technology domains such as communications infrastructure, data analytics, robotics, and cybersecurity, whilst small and medium enterprises (SME) are expected to get a majority of the investments. Last year, they accounted for almost two-thirds of the total number of ICT contracts awarded by the government.

Kok said, “We are excited by the many opportunities to collaborate with the industry, and are currently engaged in many project discussions with them. We look forward to working with the industry in using technology to improve the lives of citizens, serve businesses better, and provide effective and convenient public services.”

Moreover, about 33% of the investment will be placed into projects under the "run" initiative, such as the bulk tender for the leasing of personal computers and purchase of printers. About 23% will go to "grow" projects, like the bulk tender to support the implementation of Robotic Process Automation (RPA) in government agencies where a panel of companies will be qualified to provide software tools and professional services

Meanwhile, 44% are expected to go into "transform" projects such as the National Digital Identity (NDI), which allows individuals to verify transactions with others through their nationally-issued digital credentials, and a "smart" Singapore Visitor Centre (SVC) System for SVC officers.

"There are many opportunities for the industry in building a Digital Government," Kok added. "Through the Innoleap programme, research institutes, institutes of higher learning and commercial entities can work with public sector agencies to solve real-world problems. There is also the Ideas! portal, a Whole-of-Government crowdsourcing platform for agencies to collaborate with the tech community and the public to solve their challenges."

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